ObservedEarth

ObservedEarth is an app that simplifies the process of downloading, processing, and visualising multispectral earth observation data. See Earth from above.

^{IMAGE: FLICKR, NASA}

A range of desktop, mobile, and web applications exist that provide access to satellite imagery. ObservedEarth differs in that it makes accessible a history of observations showing how the Earth has changed over time. Watch rivers change their path, bushfire destruction, forrest regrowth, expansion of urban developments, snowfalls. Earth observation data has wide ranging applications.

^{IMAGE: Lake Eildon, Victoria, Australia. Generated by ObservedEarth, data from USGS/NASA Landsat}

The richness of multispectral data is exposed through a series of present band combinations to highlight specific features. Bands mapped to an images red, green, and blue channels can present a natural look image. Incorporating the infrared band can highlight active bushfires, and the near infrared band can help distinguish between different types of vegetation.

^{IMAGE: Benloch bushfires, 7th October 2015. Generated by ObservedEarth, data from USGS/NASA Landsat}

ObservedEarth downloads unprocessed satellite data which is then processed locally on the iPhone/iPad, this enables much greater flexibility in the range of visualisations that can be offered. Raw data consumed by ObservedEarth is often available within hours of the satellite passing overhead.

Learn more:

• Getting started
• Share options
• Visualisation

Related reading:

• USGS Landsat8
• Landsat on AWS